01. Zero Is Also A Number02. This Aching Isolation03. Hz04. Non Sum Qualis Eram05. Distances06. Inversions07. Creatio Ex Nihilio08. In Times Of Silence09. For Your Glory, Great Deceiver10. Nisi Credideritis, Non Intelligetis11. The Motives Of The Machine12. Singularities13. Loves14. The Fire Around The Lotus [bonus]

Rating supplement: Guess who's got herself a new band crush? It's been a while since I attached a 9.0 score to a review, so consider this a wholehearted recommendation.

Quick, what's the first thing that comes to your mind when I say "emotional, stripped down, dismal proggy music"? You're probably thinking Riverside, Porcupine Tree, maybe even Damnation-era Opeth or early 2000's Pain Of Salvation (or, if you're one of the three people on Metal Storm that share my obsessions, Wolverine and Sieges Even/Subsignal). Well, it looks like a new band joined this pack - I already adore them and you should too.

Out of all the names I've dropped in the first paragraph, Riverside is the band which sounds the closest to Enochian Theory - it's not a coincidence that jupitreas described Enochian Theory's debut as an emotional twin to Riverside's Out Of Myself. But don't think this means Enochian Theory is a clone. They're simply sailing along "The Same River" - walking down a similar path.

All of the tracks are very short for prog standards and for the most part devoid of soloing. Two minutes into the opener you already know what you're up for - fragile-sounding guitar work, playful rhythms and epic, bigger-than-life vocal melodies, all performed by very able musicians. There is also an abundance of synths and orchestral sounds performed by a mysterious entity the band refers to as "The Lost Orchestra". The pace doesn't pick up much throughout the album, but the intensity sure does, so if you can't stand mellow music, seldom but smartly placed guitar riffs with heavy distortion and growled vocals will make you feel right at home.

What is even more impressive than Enochian Theory's song construction is their album construction. Life... And All It Entails has got the best flow I've heard recently, down to every second of the spoken word tracks. Everything fits just like a puzzle - the way "Distances" sets the mood for "Inversions", or the way that growled vocals surface for the first time during "In Times Of Silence" and dominate the whole first half of the following track is priceless.

Ok, I'll guess I will check this out. It can't go wrong with all those references.

You noticed
It's more of a feeling than an actual sound, but there are still similarities in sound - "The Motives Of The Machine" sends me straight back to Sieges Even for example. But according to the interviews, the main songwriter doesn't listen to a lot of modern prog bands so I don't know whether they were actually inspired by, let's say, Riverside while writing this. Not that it would matter if they were, they definitely have a signature sound which I'm happy to promote here.

Wow, a new album? I've been listening to their previous album for weeks now, and I LOVE it. And I don't usually fall in love with prog releases. Must check this out! Hvala, Mora

I LOVE this one, couldn't recommend it more. The first listen went like "oh yeah, I like this, I like that" and when it amounted to dozens of things I liked, I couldn't stop listening to it. So glad this year is bringing the goods... from the accomplished progsters, we have the new OSI, we'll have the new Fates Warning, the new Rush will be coming out (although we shouldn't expect to much from the so-called mainstream, but it's always nice to anticipate)... and from small bands we have this and Dissona so far, and I've heard good stuff for Beyond The Bridge too. Most awesome. Nema na čemu

Woot, thank you for this Mora. It's about damn time they get some recognition. Their first "major" release in 2009 and this album bombshell signals something fresh in the prog world. These guys and Haken are getting my idle prog juices flowing again.

Might check this out considering I know a couple of albums/bands you mentioned.
Also, Hi again!

Hi Rod I've told Marcel to tell you hi a couple of times, but I think he forgot

This is really, really good, between-prog-rock-and-prog-metal kind of prog. Has a lot of emotional content and it's overall pretty amazing. Might end up as my favorite. So if you find time and determination, sure.

I've been wracking my brains to try and figure out who Ben's vocals remind me of. And it's finally hit me, sounds like a mix between Duda of Riverside and Englund of Evergrey. Very engrossing in any case.

I've been wracking my brains to try and figure out who Ben's vocals remind me of. And it's finally hit me, sounds like a mix between Duda of Riverside and Englund of Evergrey. Very engrossing in any case.

I find myself enjoying the beginning and end of this album, but have been losing interest during the middle. That second track "This Aching Isolation" started out reminding me of Tool, which caught my attention when I first listened and the final track "Loves" is phenomenal. The music does meander between both straightforward neo-prog and the heavier, somewhat "mystical" prog metal elements. Then there are the experimental/art rock sections that really throw you for a loop. I was trying to catch up with all of last year's releases and it seems I am going to have to give this one more of an effort. The singer reminds me of Peter Gabriel at times, but he still hasn't won me over completely. Great review for challenging album (in terms of progressive metal).

I find myself enjoying the beginning and end of this album, but have been losing interest during the middle. That second track "This Aching Isolation" started out reminding me of Tool, which caught my attention when I first listened and the final track "Loves" is phenomenal. The music does meander between both straightforward neo-prog and the heavier, somewhat "mystical" prog metal elements. Then there are the experimental/art rock sections that really throw you for a loop. I was trying to catch up with all of last year's releases and it seems I am going to have to give this one more of an effort. The singer reminds me of Peter Gabriel at times, but he still hasn't won me over completely. Great review for challenging album (in terms of progressive metal).

After several months with this album I would have written a little better one, I think. It's by far my favorite release in 2012 anyway. Glad you gave it some time of your day!